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Some of the biggest names in Britain's alternative music scene
are to play a benefit concert for the Palestinian people.
On Saturday, Primal Scream, Spiritualized, and Steve from the Beta
Band are due to perform to a sell-out crowd at London's Brixton
Academy, in what is probably the biggest benefit gig for
Palestinians ever held in Britain.
Aisling Byrne, project director with the Hoping Foundation, the
charity organising the event, said the bands had offered to take
part in the event as there was increased awareness of the
Palestinian issue in Britain.
"There is a lot more support for Palestine because people understand
better what is happening there, and they want to be able to do
something practical to help," said Byrne.
Byrne said the issue of Palestine was getting more coverage.
"There are all sorts of groups getting involved. It's much wider."
Helping refugee children
The Hoping Foundation was founded in 2002, and aims to support
projects for Palestinian children in refugee camps in the Occupied
Territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The charity is
currently working with youth and cultural centres that offer space
to children who live in environments beset by poverty and violence.
"Palestinian
refugee children need the simple chances and ordinary possibilities
that can offer them creative solutions to their lives," the
charity's website says.
Last year, two
Hoping Foundation trustees, writer Harriet Vyner and fashion
designer Bella Freud, visited Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon
and the West Bank. They were accompanied by Hoping Foundation
supporter Jemima Khan.
Unity
One of the
charity's aims is to express solidarity with Palestinians.
"We will be
showing Palestinian children that their struggle to transform their
lives is encouraged and supported by people in Britain and
throughout the rest of the world," their website says.
Byrne said the
charity already had plans for more fundraising concerts.
"We have a lot
of people who are offering to do other events."
Also at
Saturday's concert 3D from Massive Attack and Andrew Wetherall will
be DJing and there will be a special mystery guest.
'Prisoner
nation'
Writing in the
British daily The Guardian, Primal Scream's frontman Bobby Gillespie
explained why he is involved:
"The truth is
that most people can see what is taking place on the ground in the
Middle East. And they can see who needs our support. Everyone knows
who is under the boot and who's got the mouthful of broken glass.
"The
Palestinians are a prisoner nation, refugees and exiles treated like
ghosts. Now we want them to feel our solidarity," he wrote.
Gillespie
pointed to the long tradition of British musicians' involvement in
political causes.
"John Lennon
used his name and money to oppose the Vietnam war and support the
workers on strike. If Lennon were still on this earth, he'd be doing
Palestine. In fact he'd be rocking the Brixton Academy tomorrow
night."
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